Overview — Ryan Specialty National Programs Architects Insurance
Ryan Specialty National Programs offers a dedicated Architects & Engineers Insurance Program for retail agents and brokers placing professional liability for architecture, engineering and environmental consulting firms. The program is designed for firms with annual billings up to $10 million (larger firms considered individually) and is underwritten primarily by Aspen American Insurance Company. Available in most states, the program combines flexible underwriting with value-added services to help design professionals manage risk and limit costly claims.
Ideal Accounts and Appetite
This program fits a wide range of design and consulting practices, including:
- Architectural firms (solo and group practices)
- Civil, structural, electrical, mechanical and HVAC engineers
- Construction managers and consulting engineers
- Landscape and golf course architects
- Surveyors and interior designers
- Non-licensed design professionals (kitchen designers, lighting designers, spec writers, cost estimators)
Typical fits are firms doing residential, commercial, municipal or institutional work with standard professional exposures. Larger or highly complex design-build or high-risk construction projects may require individualized underwriting review.
Coverage Highlights and Advantages
- Professional liability coverage tailored to A&E exposures
- Contractor’s pollution liability included where needed
- Advertising/personal injury and network security coverages
- Optional enhancements such as defense costs outside the limits and specific project excess limits
- Network Security supplemental payments up to $100,000
- Worldwide coverage options and legal expense reimbursement for ADA, FHA and OSHA matters
- Choice of counsel and Innocent Insured protection
- Value-added services: free contract review by experienced A&E law firms, pre-claim assistance via an 800 hotline, peer review and crisis event expense reimbursement
Underwriting Notes and Minimums
Minimum premium starts at $1,200. Free premium financing is available for premiums of $10,000 or higher. Submissions should include a completed supplemental application (or a competitor’s application) and five years of currently valued loss runs. The program offers flexible terms for qualified applicants, including first dollar defense and “soft” hammer clause options.
Territories and Admitted Markets
The Architects & Engineers program is available in most U.S. states, including CA, TX, NY, FL, IL and WA. Some admitted markets are available depending on the state; coverage is written through multiple A-rated carriers with Aspen American Insurance Company serving as a primary market.
Why Place A&E Business with Ryan Specialty National Programs?
Ryan Specialty National Programs functions as a program administrator with deep A&E expertise. Agents gain direct access to competitively priced, expertly underwritten solutions and practical risk management resources. The underwriting team understands common contract concerns for design professionals and provides tools—contract review, pre-claim advice and crisis support—that help reduce claims exposure and protect client relationships.
Example Client Profiles
- You might have a small architectural firm that handles both residential and commercial work and needs professional liability with pollution coverage for site remediation issues—this program can package pollution with professional liability.
- You might place a civil engineering firm working on municipal infrastructure that requires worldwide coverage and a project-specific excess limit; the program can consider tailored excess placements.
Contact Ryan Specialty National Programs for underwriting guidance and to discuss specific accounts. For more detail on program features, see the Architects Insurance page.